Intel Q8300 Core Quad Core processor: specifications and reviews

The quad-core CPU for LGA 775 platform with a good overclocking potential is all Intel Q8300 Core Quad Core. This chip even now allows you to solve most problems, including supports the most demanding three-dimensional toys of the latest generation. It is about the capabilities of this semiconductor solution that will be discussed later.

The niche of this semiconductor solution, what problems can be solved with its help

Intel Q8300 Core Quad Core was released in the distant 2008. Initially, this chip was positioned as an ideal CPU for creating a mid-level PC. On the one hand, there were less efficient processors with one or two compute modules ("Pentiums" or "Celerons", for example). Well, on the other hand, it was possible to find more productive chips, which consisted of 4 computational units, but had a higher clock frequency and an increased cache size.

In turn, the presence of just 4 computational modules allows even now this silicon crystal to run any existing software to date. Even the most demanding to hardware resources of PC toys on it will go. But that's just not at the maximum settings.

Processor Connector

CPU Intel Q8300 Core Quad Core was aimed at installing the socket LGA 775. At the time of the chip in 2008, this processor socket was one of the most advanced in terms of performance, popularity and availability. Now this semiconductor solution is already 8 years old, and it has become obsolete both morally and physically. But for solving most problems it is quite enough.

Technological features

This semiconductor solution was manufactured according to the standards of 45 nm of the technological processor. In 2008, it was an advanced technology for the production of silicon crystals. Since then, it has been 8 years. For electronic technology, you can say that this is an eternity.

The last generation of semiconductor solutions of the company "Intel" is manufactured already for 14 nm technological process. Therefore, in terms of production technology, this quad core CPU is obsolete. But this is natural for such a rapid development of electronics.

Cache and its volume

A very controversial situation was with the fast volatile memory integrated into the semiconductor chip and operating at the CPU clock speed, with Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300. Characteristics, on the one hand, indicate the presence of 2 levels of the cache - and this is a positive point. And on the other hand, the size of the second level was only 4 MB. By today's standards, this is very, very little. It should also be noted that it was divided into 2 equal parts of 2 MB each. Each of them was tied to two specific computational blocks. In this address space, both the data and the instructions of the central processing unit could be stored.

The total size of the fast volatile memory of the first level was 256 kb. It was divided into 4 equal parts, again tied to a specific computing core, 64 kb each. Well, these 64 KB have been divided already into 2 equal parts of 32 kb. In one of them there were instructions from the CPU, and in the second - these programs. Against the background of the current most productive central processing units, the characteristics of this chip look rather modest. But in 2008 it was one of the best chips, which under certain conditions could even compete with the most productive solutions on an equal footing.

Thermal package and temperature features of operation of this semiconductor crystal

A thermal package of 95 watts at that time for a 4-nuclear semiconductor solution was the norm. The hero of this article in this respect was not particularly special and had such a heat package. Now chips with similar parameters, but made with a more recent technological process and with a clock speed increased by more than 1.5 times, can boast a thermal package of about 70 W. The maximum temperature value for this silicon solution is 71 ^° C.

In practice, to achieve this value in the regular mode of operation of the CPU is almost impossible. Unless only with a complete stop of the regular cooling system, a semiconductor crystal could become so hot. In reality, this CPU worked in the temperature range from 40 ⁰ C in solving simple problems and up to 55 ⁰ C in case of demanding software. Another option to achieve a temperature alarm is to overclock the CPU with a standard cooler. To avoid a possible overheating of the semiconductor crystal, in this case it is necessary to equip the computer system with a strengthened cooler with an improved heat dissipation.

Frequencies

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8300 does not support such an important technology as the "Turbo boost", developed by Intel Corporation. As a result, the clock frequency of this silicon crystal was fixed and did not change depending on the degree of complexity of the problem being solved. The nominal clock frequency in this case was 2.5 GHz. This chip did not belong to the Black Edishen series, and its multiplier was blocked. Its value was only 7.5.

Architecture

The code name of the computing modules of this processor is Yorkfield. As noted earlier, the Intel Core Quad Q8300 included 4 compute units. This semiconductor chip did not support the "Hyper Trading" technology, and in this case the number of logical computational flows was equal to the number of physical cores (i.e. 4).

Overclocking

As it was mentioned earlier, Intel Core Quad Q8300 did not have a Black Edision prefix. Therefore, the multiplier was blocked and equaled 7.5. As a result, it was possible to increase the performance only by combining the increase in the frequency of the system bus and the voltage on the central processing unit. But the personal computer on which it is planned to overclock should have an improved cooling system, an advanced motherboard and a powerful power supply.

The base system bus frequency for this chip was 333 MHz. Multiplying the latter by the CPU multiplier of 7.5, we get 2500 MHz, or 2.5 GHz. This is the CPU clock speed. In practice, overclock the system bus up to 490 MHz was not difficult. Multiplying this value by 7.5 (CPU multiplier), we get already 3,675 MHz - the frequency of the central processing unit in the overclocked mode. That is, a productivity gain of about 40-50 percent was obtained. But in order to achieve such an impressive result, it was necessary to vary the voltage values on the CPU.

Responses of owners. Cost

Initially, the Intel Core Quad Q8300 processor Was estimated at $ 180 and at a cost related to middle-class solutions. Now, in a new state, such a chip can not be purchased. But the used CPUs of this model can be found on various trading platforms at a price of 20-30 dollars. The main advantages of this chip - the presence of just 4 cores and high overclocking potential. If there is a quality cooling system, the heating will not be felt. The only drawback of this chip is the small size of the second level of the cache.

Results

An excellent processor for creating a mid-level PC was in 2008 Intel Q8300 Core Quad Core. The possibilities of this chip are quite enough even now to solve most problems. Only in the case of the most demanding toys will have to confine themselves to medium or even minimal settings. In the rest it is an excellent solution for creating an entry-level gaming PC even now.